Eddie Murphy will star in the forthcoming film, Mr. Church, and from the looks of the trailer, it’s a more dramatic role than usual for the typically comedic actor. It’s his first leading role in four years, following 2012’s A Thousand Words.

The film explores the bond that develops between a girl named Charlotte (played by Robertson) and cook Henry Joseph Church (portrayed by Murphy) whom her dying mother (played by McElhone) hires. What initially starts as a contentious relationship deepens over the course of 15 years.

In the moving trailer, Robertson narrates the story, which begins with her not really liking Mr. Church, but that soon changes. “Mr. Church, he was like the moon: Cool, calm and always there,” she explains.

In the clip, Murphy portrays a stoic figure who apparently has some secrets. But his fondness for his charge Charlotte remains strong through various emotional scenes. “You gave me the most important thing that life can offer,” he says. “You gave me a family.”